DVS1 is a true icon. He may have reached the top of the techno tree by a somewhat circuitous route — involving time spent in prison on drugs charges and half a lifetime of ‘anti-star’ behaviour — but his rep is now second to none. DJ Mag joins him as he prepares for one of his immense Wall Of Sound shows, to find a highly-principled man fully in tune with his place in the world...

From the ongoing refinement of house and disco, to techno's domination of the mainstream, the return of electro, ebm and new wave, and the resurgence of jump-up d&b, dance music has continued to thrive and empassion this year. Picking just 50 tracks has been a nightmare but every single tune in this list is solid gold so crank your system and enjoy...